Design and Product Development

The ideal user: A pilot study to find apparel collaborators

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Abstract

The assumption is held that people want to participate in the design of their own products, but no research can say who. By identifying who is more successful participants in the design process, apparel producers may be able to generate products that are attractive to a target population, reducing risk and waste in production. Given the importance of developing viable apparel products, this pilot study aimed to identify consumers who are more appropriate to partake in the design process by exploring the output of lead users (Von Hipple, 1986) and traditional users in design sessions where the goal was to create a digitally printed uniform for the Cornell men’s rowing team.

Keywords: design process, Lead users, collaborative design

How to Cite:

Morris, K. & Ashdown, S., (2014) “The ideal user: A pilot study to find apparel collaborators”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 71(1).